Average-sized star that looks Average-sized star that looks big because of its distance big because of its distance from Earthfrom Earth

Sun’s gravity holds the planets Sun’s gravity holds the planets in their orbitsin their orbits

Provides light, heat and other Provides light, heat and other energy to Earth (energy to Earth (inexhaustible inexhaustible energy sourceenergy source))

Made almost entirely of gasMade almost entirely of gas Almost 838,900 miles wide Almost 838,900 miles wide

(could hold more than 1 (could hold more than 1 million Earths inside)million Earths inside)

•Sunspots-dark area on the surface of the sun because that area is cooler than the rest of the sun

•Solar flare-magnetic storm on the Sun which appears very bright

•Corona-the outermost layer of the Sun’s atmosphere

Sun•center of the universe

•all planets revolve around it (one year)

Sun

•center of the universe

•all planets revolve around it (one year)

Mercury

Mercury

Fun Fact: In the daytime Mercury’s surface is hot enough to melt lead

Length of year: 88 Earth daysMoons: NoneSurface: Rocky with craters

Sun

•center of the universe

•all planets revolve around it (one year)

Mercury

Venus

Venus

Fun Fact: Venus rotates backward compared with most of the other planets

Length of year: 225 Earth daysMoons: NoneSurface: Rocky with constant cover of thick clouds

Sun

•center of the universe

•all planets revolve around it (one year)

Mercury

VenusEarth

Earth

Fun Fact: Only planet known to support life

Length of year: 365 daysMoons: OneSurface: Mostly water

Sun

•center of the universe

•all planets revolve around it (one year)

Mercury

VenusEarth

Mars

Mars

Fun Fact: Largest volcano in the Solar System, Olympus Mons. Known as the Red Planet.

Length of year: Almost 2 Earth yearsMoons: TwoSurface: Rocky with volcanoes, canyons and red dust

Sun

•center of the universe

•all planets revolve around it (one year)

Mercury

VenusEarth

Mars

•Rocky Surface•Closer to the sun•Warmer•Small•Two moons or less

Sun

•center of the universe

•all planets revolve around it (one year)

Mercury

VenusEarth

Mars

•Rocky Surface•Closer to the sun•Warmer•Small•Two moons or less

Jupiter

Jupiter

Fun Fact: Two Earths could fit inside Jupiter’s Great Red Spot, a huge hurricane-like storm on Jupiter’s surface

Length of year: About 12 Earth yearsMoons: 16 knownSurface: No solid surface; cold, slushy gases

Sun

•center of the universe

•all planets revolve around it (one year)

Mercury

VenusEarth Mars

•Rocky Surface•Closer to the sun•Warmer•Small•Two moons or less

Jupiter

Saturn

Saturn

Fun Fact: Saturn has a large system of rings that reaches 416,000 kilometers (260,000 miles) from its surface

Length of year: About 29 Earth yearsMoons: 60 knownSurface: Frozen gases

Sun

•center of the universe

•all planets revolve around it (one year)

Mercury

VenusEarth Mars

•Rocky Surface•Closer to the sun•Warmer•Small•Two moons or less

Jupiter

Saturn

Uranus

Uranus

Fun Fact: Uranus rolls on its side as it orbits the sun

Length of year: 84 Earth yearsMoons: 27 knownSurface: Frozen gases

Sun

•center of the universe

•all planets revolve around it (one year)

Mercury

VenusEarth Mars

•Rocky Surface•Closer to the sun•Warmer•Small•Two moons or less

Jupiter

Saturn

Uranus

Neptune

Neptune

Fun Fact: Since Pluto is no longer recognized as a planet, Neptune is the farthest planet from the Sun

Length of year: 165 Earth yearsMoons: 13 known Surface: Frozen gases

Sun

•center of the universe

•all planets revolve around it (one year)

Mercury

VenusEarth Mars

•Rocky Surface•Closer to the sun•Warmer•Small•Two moons or less

Jupiter

Saturn

Uranus

Neptune

•Made of frozen gases•Farther from the sun

•Colder•Much larger•Many moons

Sun

•center of the universe

•all planets revolve around it (one year)

Mercury

VenusEarth Mars

•Rocky Surface•Closer to the sun•Warmer•Small•Two moons or less

Jupiter

Saturn

Uranus

Neptune

•Made of frozen gases•Farther from the sun

•Colder•Much larger•Many moons